G-pod

ORGANIZATION NAME: SPARK Architects

LOCATION: Australia, China

SUMMARY: G-Pod is a building system, with each individual pod’s being capable of functioning autonomously or able to be interlinked with others to form more consolidated structures. G-pods, in both single and multi pod configurations, are readily deployable and can be easily dismantled, restructured, reused and re-located with minimal environmental impact.

PROBLEM SPACE: “Our “business as normal”” approach to the construction of the built environment (our habitat) is incredibly energy hungry, environmentally destructive, inflexible – generally singular in function and, with respect to the life expectancy of modern buildings, significantly wasteful.

Humanity needs to embrace and evolve new ways of providing habitat for our species that ultimately works in harmony with the natural world, and this need is real and urgent. Climate Change and the undeniable degradation of our natural environment is most certainly the catalyst for such an approach. It is also, arguably, related to the planet experiencing an increase in extreme weather events and the resulting humanitarian disasters. Increases in refugee movement as a consequence of disaster, warfare and viruses such as Ebola has resulted in unprecedented demands on global aid and humanitarian organisations.

Within the pursuit of a more holistic approach to the construction of our built environment is also the critical need for a system of rapidly deployable, autonomous buildings to serve humanitarian and post catastrophe needs. Buildings that are robust, flexible in use and scalable for specific needs.

G-pod is a “system within a system” and is intrinsically capable of providing “solutions within solutions.”

SOLUTION: “G-Pod is a globally transportable, rapidly deployable building solution based on the structural and dimensional tolerances of ISO shipping containers. Through a series of mechanical (manual or automated) moves G-pods expand up to three times their original footprint and through the ‘in pod’ incorporation of auxiliary elements provide a high level of amenity for all climate types. G-pods have the ability to generate and store their own electricity, collect and store their own rain water and treat waste water. The G-pod system allows for individual, stand alone pods, or the networking and consolidation of several or many pods into larger buildings and even tower structures.
The G-Pod building system, can evolve, contract or expand to specific needs, both temporary and permanent. Pods can be added or subtracted as user needs change and entire configurations can be easily relocated to another site or whole or part can be re-purposed for other needs and or locations. The system allows our built environment to behave in a more organic manner with respect to the needs of the individual, and the community.

G-pods will be manufactured in Guangzhao China and can be sited anywhere in the world that you can position a shipping container.”